Preparing for Easter ~ True

The 5th Sunday of Lent ~

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also His tunic. But the tunic was seamless woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture [Ps.22:18] . . . John 19:23-24 ESV

Rev. David Carroll, the pastor at St. Matthew's UMC in Madison, MS, preached a sermon on "The Tunic and Dice" and used this phrase in describing the soldiers . . . and us when we choose the world's view of indifference instead of turning our eyes to Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior: "The soldiers were . . . trading the True for the trivial." We gamble and barter with other's hearts every day, ignoring need and remaining self-focused. Let's go beyond the trivial and seek the True Light!

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Let your daily witness to the world be one that trades the trivial things of this world for Jesus - the True! ~ dho 

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Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

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Preparing for Easter ~ Rejoice

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary--we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Romans 5:3-5 The Message

In the middle of life, with its delights and distractions, surrounded by wonder and wilderness, the moments come and go. How often do we shout our praise in difficult times? Scripture tells us these very troubles can teach us passionate patience. Some translations use "endurance." Through the struggles we can become stronger, even hope-full.

In alert expectancy reminds us that God's blessings, like His Faithfulness, are certain. We are to praise God in all circumstances, not for the despair or difficulty, not for the sadness or sorrow; rather, we are to praise God for His Everlasting Hope that endures troubles, that endures for eternity. We are to praise God for the countless blessings that have been and are to come. We are to praise God for the lessons of passionate patience which strengthen and renew. We are to praise God ~ for He alone is worthy of praise.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Try to find enough containers to hold God's Goodness and Grace! ~dho


All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Preparing for Easter ~ Hope

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 NLT

Henry Nouwen writes:
The pains and struggles we encounter in our solitude thus become the way to hope, because our hope is not based on something that will happen after our sufferings are over, but on the real presence of God's healing Spirit in the midst of these sufferings. from Bringing Solitude into Our Lives

God is present in our suffering. Christ is healing hope! He alone is Grace.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Find a moment of silence - somewhere, somehow - and rejoice in Hope! ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Preparing for Easter ~ Worthy

He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes. Deuteronomy 10:21 NLT

This season we have been thinking about a way to offer a sacrifice of praise as a way of remembering Christ and His Gift of Grace. One of my older daughter's favorite hymns is Worthy of Worship. Consider some of the words:

Worthy of worship, worthy of praise, worthy of honor and glory;
Worthy of all the glad songs we can sing, worthy of all of the off-'rings we bring . . .
Almighty Father, Master and Lord, King of all kings and Redeemer,
Wonderful Counselor, Comforter, Friend, Savior and Source of our life without end . . .
You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Savior, Sustainer.
You are worthy, worthy and wonderful;
Worthy of worship and praise.
words by: Terry W. York

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Lay down the relentless idols that shout for attention, idols that crave worldly worship and demand empty praise. For God alone is worthy, worthy of our worship and praise. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Preparing for Easter ~ Soul

As the Holy Spirit descended to the gathering of followers that would be the beginning of Christ's church (Acts 2), Peter stood and began to remind the people of the prophetic telling from Joel. He talked about the wonders that were now known, about Jesus the Messiah, and recounted King David's testimony.

You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence. Acts 2:28 The Amplified Bible

I happened upon this quote by Alexander Solzhenitsyn:

The meaning of earthly existence lies, not as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul.

Reading more about the Russian writer who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970, I discovered a few facts from his autobiography (see link below). He always wanted to be a writer but circumstances directed his studies toward physics and mathematics, all the while he studied history and philosophy and literature on the side. He graduated Rostov University with a degree in physics and mathematics only days before WWII began.

Imprisoned for eight years for having political differences with Russia, he was exiled for another 3 years. All this time he taught mathematics and physics, claimed this "rescued me from death." In time, Solzhenitsyn would be recognized for his writing, his long awaited dream. He wrote, "It is almost always impossible to evaluate at the time events which you have already experienced, and to understand their meaning with the guidance of their effects. All the more unpredictable and surprising to us will be the course of future events."

A lesson to take away is that God has a plan for the world ~ Christ, and God has a purpose for each of us ~ redemption. God wants to renew the soul of each person. The way this is accomplished is through our faith in Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, the Redeemer. God's purpose through us is revealed in many ways ~ through His design. Our limited minds cannot know the reasons or understand all that happens. We must trust that God will use us, if we seek the True and Living God. Through God's plan we are rescued from death. Our future through Christ is eternal life, and this is sure.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Stand in the presence of God, ask Him, "Holy One, diffuse my soul with Your Joy!" This is true "soul-shine! ~dho

Link to autobiography: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1970/solzhenitsyn-autobio.html 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Design

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies.
1 Peter 4:11 NKJV

Reading Max Lucado's Volume II of Grace For The Moment inspirational daily thoughts today, I found a thought very worthy of sharing. It is an excerpt from Lucado's Cure for the Common Life. He reminds that God has shaped each of us according to our purpose. All of us have certain abilities such as, the "ability to diagnose an engine problem by the noise it makes, to bake a cake without a recipe." Lucado gives other examples that describe specific interest in particular topics or the ability to remember names. He asks, "How do you explain such quirks of skill?"

The answer is God! Knowing Israel would "need a code, He gave Moses a love for the law." With other examples in the New Testament to demonstrate this, Lucado writes, "He designed you. And His design defines your destiny." We conclude that any ability, any strength, any gift we have is from God. Designed by the Master Designer, we are to minister to others with the talents He provides.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Designed by God, use this ability to touch the lives of others for Him. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Faith

Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you." Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road. Mark 10:46-52 NASB

Jesus is always calling to us; He desires that we have a relationship with Him. I wonder how many of us are really like this blind man? Do we desire the mercy that Jesus offers? Is our faith truly evident? And maybe most of all, I wonder, do we really KNOW what we want from Jesus? And, if we know, do we boldly ask? When Jesus answers us, do we respond like this man with new vision?

Our sacrifice of praise ~

Ask Jesus for new vision ~ and follow Him on the road! ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Father

4th Sunday of Lent ~


When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted His eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify and extol and honor and magnify You. John 17:1 Amplified Bible

The 17th Chapter of John is a well-known prayer that Jesus prayed before His crucifixion. Many times in the New Testament we are given examples of Jesus praying, examples He set for us, teaching us how to communicate with God. If Jesus needed to spend time in prayer, certainly we have an even greater need. E.M. Bounds wrote these words in his book on "Prayer":

What mystery that the Son of God should be under the law of prayer . . . How strange that the blessings that came to Him were impregnated and purchased by prayer.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Like Jesus, pray that your life gives glory and honor to the Father. ~dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Author

Since my first book has been published, and as I have signed books, many have said to me, "Now, I know a real author; I have never been able to say that before!" Over the years, I have met several authors, even had them sign books for me, but I can't say many of them are my friends. At times, we have lingered shortly over their books, but on most occasions, we never communicated after that. Yet, everyone has the opportunity to meet an author, and all believers have met The Author. If we continue seeking a relationship with this Author, we will become friends - forever! Jesus is The Author of our faith ~ He wrote the story of Grace!

Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NASB

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Get your Bible ~ off the shelf or the nightstand or the backseat of your car ~ wherever it waits between Sundays and get to know The Author better. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!” 

Preparing for Easter ~ Spirit

For He himself is our peace, . . . For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father . . . In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:14, 18, 22 ESV

Christ is our peace. We find this peace by being in an intimate relationship with Him. Growing deeper roots through the Spirit, our faith walk can be consistently enriched. Our hearts must be a dwelling place for God, an altar for the Love Most High.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Open the door of your dwelling place and introduce God to a friend. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Intercession

In Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest, these words describe our failure to truly worship and offer prayers to God: Worship and intercession must go together, the one is impossible without the other. Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray. Too often . . . . we [pray] in dispute with God - "I don't see how You are going to do it." This is a sure sign we are not worshiping. . . We hurl our own petitions at God's throne and dictate to Him as to what we wish Him to do. We do not worship God, nor do we seek to form the mind of Christ.

It is true that we often "tell" God what we want. Praying with an open and humble heart that desires God's purposes is not easy. When we "tell" God what we expect Him to do, we do not demonstrate a relationship with Him that is built on faith and love. We must seek to know the mind of Christ. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD. Ezra 3:11 ESV

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Spend time building a true relationship with God. This is His delight. ~dho


All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Battle

He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me,. . .
Psalm 55:18 NASB

As long as we live in this world, Satan will battle for our souls, battle for our attention. He seeks to destroy and distract; he desires to interrupt our focus on God. Satan interferes as often as possible. There is comfort and security in knowing that God will always offer peace to our seeking souls.

God rescues us in the battles that surround our daily life, sending angels to defend and protect. In the heavenly realms, constant battles between darkness and light, between God's angels and Satan's angel-followers rage. And us - as Believers and disciples of Christ, we stand redeemed and find peace even in the middle of the chaos.

The Message uses these words: My life is well and whole, secure in the middle of danger. (Ps.55:18)

Our sacrifice of praise ~
God-of-the-Angel-Armies sends peace ~ it comes on
angel-wings. LISTEN! ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter - Remember

Do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgements, and His statues which I command you today - when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful homes and dwell in them; . . . For it is He who gives you power to get wealth.
Deuteronomy 8:11-12,18 NKJV

We find ourselves surrounded by plenty and more. While we love dwelling in the beautiful places, our hearts do not always acknowledge The Giver. Forgetting The Giver, we soon stray from His guidance, His promises, and His provisions. In time, we lose sight of His Glory and sit around full yet dissatisfied. Don't forget!

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Remember The Giver of all ~ in His honor, share His Glory! ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!” 

Preparing for Easter ~ Blessing

God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile! 

Psalm 67:1 The Message 

Just as we use the ashes to symbolically mark ourselves as 'sinners in need', grace is the gift that marks the believer. It is His great blessing on humanity. Grace is from God through Christ, a priceless gift that cannot be bought, a provision undeserved. Is your mark of grace and blessing visible?

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Smile! Let God's blessing be known. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Praise

3rd Sunday in Lent ~

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise... then the peace of God will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT

We are constantly surrounded by the opposite of what the Scripture calls us to keep in our minds. The world is full of the lure of thoughts that are false and reckless, against God and tainted, ugly and lacking merit. There are so many unworthy things that catch our attention or capture our time. Chaos thrives in these things ~ not peace. You will not find God in these places ~ unless He is reaching through for a lost soul. Even then, He is far above the ugly and dark; He is Beauty and Light. God is peace.

The commentary of the Transformation Study Bible offers these thoughts:

The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God's Word will have a "built-in radar" for detecting wrong thoughts. . . Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on the Word of God. (Philippians 4:8 commentary)

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Whatever is worthy of praise, meditate on these thoughts of Beauty and Light. ~ dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Satan

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left [Jesus] until an opportune time.
Luke 4:13 NIV

This is not the devotion I wrote yesterday - it is gone, apparently did not "publish" as usual. I did all the same things but today as I started to write for Sunday, I noticed that Saturday's was not published. Thinking I had made an error, forgetting to click "publish," I checked. Saturday's devotion was simply not anywhere to be found.

As I have been writing as the Spirit leads, I could not even remember what I wrote yesterday morning. Looking through my scant notes revealed no clues. The NLT translation says that the devil left until the next opportunity came. If you are surprised that the devil still acts to disrupt and hinder, attempts to destroy the work of God, think again.

The world would say "it was just a computer glitch" or "you must have made an error" - that's the reason it did not publish. Perhaps those things are true; yet, the devil's ways are sometimes crafty and sometimes just annoying. So, I salute the efforts of darkness lest I forget they exist and have weapons to do battle everyday, BUT I worship the LORD God who is all powerful and everlasting!

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Do not be caught unaware! Worship the power of the Living God even DURING the next opportunity of evil. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Prayer

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; . . . strengthen your brothers.
Luke 22:31-32 NASB

These words were spoken by Jesus to Peter, after telling Peter that he would deny Him three times. Jesus knew the trouble that was imminent, that Satan was lurking and using everyone he could to help hinder Jesus. Satan underestimated the power of God because there is no power greater. Jesus prayed for Peter, and still intercedes for believers today.

Prayer is the breath of life to our soul. Mother Teresa

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Thank Jesus for praying for you, for breathing life into your soul. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Worship

It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself - Spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

John 4:23-24 The Message

God created each of us; in our own individual and unique ways, we are to worship Him. 

Our sacrifice of praise ~

Worship God - in your own ways - with your very being - simply and honestly. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”